Europe fires back at Trump’s threat to take Greenland as France and Germany vow to protect ‘sovereign’ borders

Members of the European Union have pledged that they will not allow other countries to attack sovereign borders as newly elected President Donald Trump sets his sights on Greenland.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot responded in a radio interview on Wednesday to the 78-year-old’s refusal to rule out military force to conquer Greenland.

“There is no way the European Union will let other countries attack its sovereign borders, no matter who they are,” Barrot said.

Barrot said he does not believe the US would actually invade the huge island that has been part of Denmark for more than 600 years.

“If you ask me whether I think the United States will invade Greenland, my answer is no,” Barrot said.

‘But have we entered a period where it is ‘survival of the fittest’? Then my answer is yes,” he added.

Greenland is an autonomous Danish territory. The comments come as the prime minister meets with the Danish king on Wednesday.

Earlier this week, the Danish king changed the royal coat of arms to feature Greenland more prominently.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded on Tuesday to Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland by echoing comments by Greenland Prime Minister Múte Egede: “Greenland is not for sale and will not be for sale in the future.”

Germany also denounced the president-elect’s comments about Greenland and Canada. A spokesperson said at a regular press conference that “borders should not be moved by force.”

At the press conference on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the European Commission said it would “not go into the details” of Trump’s comments, amid intense questions about how it would respond to a US attack on Greenland.

“It is clear that the sovereignty of states must be respected,” spokesperson Anitta Hipper said.

On Tuesday, Trump was asked during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago whether he would rule out “military or economic coercion” to take Greenland or the Panama Canal.

“I’m not going to commit to that,” Trump told reporters.

‘You may have to do something. The Panama Canal is vital to our country,” he said.

Trump added ‘wWe need Greenland for national security purposes.”

He has stepped up threats in recent weeks to take over both as he prepares for his second term, which begins in less than two weeks.

The Panama Canal has been controlled solely by the country of the same name for more than 25 years, after the US cleared the way for its return to Panama in a treaty signed in 1979, ending the joint partnership that controlled it in 1999.

Greenland has been largely under Danish control since the 14th century. The vast majority of the approximately 57,000 people living on the island have Danish citizenship.

Greenland’s prime minister rejected Trump’s offer to buy the island first in 2019 and then late last year.

Donald Trump Jr. visits Nuuk, Greenland, on January 7, 2025, as leaders rebuff his father’s attempt to take control of the massive island

Donald Trump Jr. landed in Greenland on Tuesday for a trip that he insisted was only personal in nature, but the president-elect claimed his “representatives” were included in a post, writing that it was “a deal waiting to happen.” .

Despite opposition from European leaders, Trump’s son Don Jr. a surprise visit to Greenland on Tuesday, the same day as his father’s controversial comments.

Although Don Jr.’s trip to the island was “personal” and not political, the president-elect wrote in a message that his son was accompanied by his “representatives” and emphasized that a deal “must happen.” ‘

The Greenland government said in a statement that the 47-year-old’s visit was a “private” one and that representatives would not meet him.